 After
winning the three-match test series 1-0, Pakistan face Sri Lanka in the
five-match one-day series starting in Dubai from Friday. While the tests produced
defensive batting reminiscent of the early 90s, the crowds and the audience alike
will hope for the one-day series to yield some attacking cricket - something that
has been a characteristic of the two sides, specially in the shorter versions
of the game.
Click for Live Score Card of Pakistan Vs Sri Lanka
It now seems normal to expect Pakistan going into a new series striving to shrug
off the controversies that surround them off the pitch. It is hardly surprising
to note the fact that Pakistan have not lost a bilateral one-day or test
series in the past twelve months has gone unnoticed. In fact, it was exactly a
year ago that Pakistan lost its last ODI series, at the same venue against South
Africa.
Sri Lanka enter the series still trying to figure out how to be competitive in
the post-Muralitharan era. The comprehensive manner in which they were outclassed
at home by Australia is a testimony to that fact. However, an often-ignored but
equally worrying aspect is the fragility in the batting department that is not
leaving enough room for the bowlers anyway.
Pakistan will be boosted by the return of Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq
who were out of favor for contrasting reasons. Umar Gul's return strengthens the
bowling even though Wahab Riaz strangely misses out. In batting, Umar Akmal should
provide some much-needed aggression. It will be a tough call for Misbah ul Haq
to choose between Shoaib Malik (who averaged only 8.00 against Zimbabwe) and Asad
Shafiq (who batted inexplicably slowly in the test series).
Lasith Malinga will be a welcome return to the Sri Lankan side. Upul Tharanga
and injury-prone Dilhara Fernando also make their comebacks to lend experience
to a side that is otherwise thin on experience. Bulk of the responsibility will
still lie with Kumar Sangakkara, and Mahela Jayawardene will be hoping to strike
some form.
With the match being played on the weekly holiday of Friday, one should expect
a sell-out crowd at the beautifully-constructed Dubai International Stadium. The
pitch traditionally has a tendency to play slow, with spinners coming to good
effect.
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